So it's been one of those days...

The kids are inconsolable, the house is a mess, and you're at your wits end. It seems like an endless cycle... all week, every day hauling the kids to practice, keeping the baby alive, entertaining your toddler. Some days it's just too much to handle. And some days (ok, most days) you need a break.

When was the last time you had any "me" time?

I have a surefire way to relieve some of that stress. Following these three steps will bring you peace of mind... knowing that not long from now you'll feel like 'you' again... strong and beautiful. You now have a plan. And it won't be long.

So what are these steps, already?

Remember back to the days when it was just you and him? Before the kids. Back when you got to have grownup conversations, long restful nights, and pretty clothing not stained from baby food and spit up (and let's face it -- boogers). Just the two of you. Wouldn't you love to have a moment of that back? How about a few hours?

Step 1: Plan Your Outfit

You want to feel beautiful, right? What better way than to get all glammed up and spend an evening with your man. What outfit comes to mind? Go search through your closet and find it. Congratulations! You've now taken the first step towards planning your night out.

Step 2: Make Dinner Reservations

Good food that you didn't have to cook? Sign me up. Talk to your husband and decide which evening works best. Once you have the reservation (even if not totally necessary), the date is on the calendar. No going back now, right?

Step 3: Book a Sweetheart Session

You knew this was coming... what better way to spend the evening than making memories with your husband? The focus is totally on you and your love story. Memories of the dating days, your wedding, the 'newlywed phase', start flowing. You feel beautiful now that you're all dressed up (and actually took the time to put on some makeup). And best of all, these moments are being captured to remember forever. Looking back through the images will bring to mind these memories again and again. It's like the gift that keeps on giving. So do yourself a favor and book a session now. Once that’s completed, you’ll be forced to take time for yourself.

No more excuses, no more guilt-trips. You deserve it.

Drop me a line to begin planning your evening. You're only a step away from feeling like your beautiful self again.

P.S. In case you weren’t already feeling accomplished, I’m giving away a 16x20 Mounted Print to the first 6 bookings!

Whether it's family portraits or strictly the kids, it can be stressful trying to prepare for your session. Here are a few tips to help relieve some of that stress and ensure your kiddos' personalities are accurately captured.

Clothing. It’s always a good idea to dress your kids in their outfits at least once before wearing them to the session. This gives the kids a chance to get used to them (especially if wearing a new accessory such as a hat) and also gives you an idea of how it will look in pictures. The child should be comfortable and the clothes should fit well. You don’t want them to be tugging at their clothes during the session. You may also realize that the color you chose isn’t the best to compliment their features and decide another outfit would suit them better.

Lambie.One of my favorite little girls has a small stuffed lamb that she carries with her everywhere… aka Lambie. If your child has a “Lambie” or any comfort toy that is always with them, be sure to bring it. This will help give them assurance while getting to know a strange photographer. While it doesn’t have to be used during the entire session, you may want it to be included in a few of your images. These are great for showing that special bond between them, and you’ll love having that precious memory captured as well.

Naps.Sometimes it’s hard for those kids who take naps and go to bed early to be at their best during the "golden hour” (within two hours of sunset). For these situations, I advise waking the child up earlier from their morning nap so that they can take their afternoon nap a little earlier. You don’t want to wake them up early from their afternoon nap to bring them directly to the session... their grumpiness will show up in the images. It often helps to have some down or quiet time before getting ready for their session, if possible. It’s usually hectic getting everything together, so kids often will respond better if given some time to relax beforehand.

Cheese.I rarely use “cheese” during sessions. Kids almost always respond with a very forced, unnatural smile (especially pre-school aged children). My goal is to capture their natural expressions in a range of emotions — I’ve found that asking them questions about their favorite toys, movies, etc., usually produces what I’m looking for. To move away from the ‘cheese’ expression, an idea for parents is to practice with their kids in the mirror a few days before the session. You can turn it into a game and ask them to make certain faces… funny, happy, sad, etc.. This will give them a chance to see how they look when making those faces.

Music. Do your kids have a favorite song or genre of music they enjoy? It’s helpful to let your photographer know or to even have it available on your phone. I recommend a playlist if possible. This can help loosen up a child and bring out their natural expressions. Kids always enjoy a dance break as well… and it’s fun to capture their personalities during these times.

Sick.If your child is sick, it will show in the images and greatly hamper the ability of the photographer to capture their little personalities. It’s best to follow the same guidelines as school… if they are well enough to go to school, they can attend their session. Otherwise, you’ll need to reschedule. Keep in mind that children and family photographers are meeting with other clients as well, and you don’t want to pass anything on.

Snacks. Be sure to eat beforehand so they’re not hungry, but snacks are nice to have available (especially during down times if during a family or sibling session). This will give them something to do or hold during the session if they get fussy. Make sure to think about the mess different types of snacks can create, however. It’s best to stay away from snacks that contain dye (red dye #40 for example) and other items that will quickly mess up their clothes or stain their mouths. Jelly beans, dried fruit, and cheese are a few examples of good snacks. Think small... that way it won't detract from the image if it's in their mouth or hands.

Have you found other things that work for your kids? We would love to read about them in the comments...

This is one of our favorite things to do... it's always so pretty, clean, and safe. It's even nicer since the Sundance Square renovations have been completed. Our favorite desserts in the area include:

Another novel idea? Schedule a photography session at one of these locations for just the two of you. ;) Anniversary and of course engagements are always such fun sessions! But you certainly don't need a fancy reason to have your love story captured.

Contact me for details about our February Couple Special.
Guys -- these sessions make great gifts!

What are some of your favorite things to do in this area?
I love having new places to check out for date night. :)